Nickel exposure and plasma levels of biomarkers for assessing oxidative stress in nickel electroplating workers

Context: The mechanism of nickel-induced pathogenesis remains elusive. Objective: To examine effects of nickel exposure on plasma oxidative and anti-oxidative biomarkers. Materials and methods: Biomarker data were collected from 154 workers with various levels of nickel exposure and from 73 controls. Correlations between nickel exposure and oxidative and anti-oxidative biomarkers were determined using linear regression models. Results: Workers with a exposure to high nickel levels had significantly lower levels of anti-oxidants (glutathione and catalase) than those with a lower exposure to nickel; however, only glutathione showed an independent association after multivariable adjustment. Discussion and conclusion: Exposure to high levels of nickel may reduce serum anti-oxidative capacity.